By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters survived an endgame uprising by San Miguel Beermen for a 100-98 victory in the PBA on Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday night, June 7.
Leading by as much as 24 points late in the second quarter, the Painters were stunned after seeing their lead trimmed to 98-100 with less than a minute left behind consecutive hits by Beermen’s Allyn Bulanadi.
The Beermen still had a chance to tie the game but Terrence Romeo’s layup was blocked by Painters’ Gabe Norwood, while the last-second three-point heave by Bulanadi was way off the mark.
Jhonard Clarito top-scored with 17 points, with eight coming in the opening quarter, to go with three assists and two steals as the Painters racked up their third victory in as many games.
Gian Mamuyac chipped in 14 markers, Leonard Santillan had double-double 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Jewel Ponferrada contributed 10 points and four rebounds for Rain or Shine.
Bulanadi finished with 31 points, including five three-point conversions, Romeo added 25 markers, while Moala Tautuaa had 14 points and nine rebounds as the Beermen dropped to 2-2.
In the first game, Terrafirma Dyip turned things around in the second half as they scored a 104-92 victory over TNT Tropang Giga for their first win in two games. The Tropang Giga dropped to 0-2.
After clawing to within 38-42 at the half, the Dyip went on a huge third quarter run behind Juan Miguel Tiongson, Eduardo Daquioag and George Isaac Go to take a 61-60 advantage.
Allen Mina then unloaded consecutive baskets for Terrafirma for an 80-67 lead before it grew to its largest at 28 points in the fourth quarter with conversions from Aldrech Ramos and Angelo Alolino.
Tiongson top-scored for the Dyip with 21 points, including two triples, Daquioag chipped in 16 markers, while Go, Aklanon Andreas Cahilig and Mina ended with 15, 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
RAIN OR SHINE 100 — Clarito 17, Mamuyac 14, Santilan 11, Ponferrada 10, Asistio 9, Ildefonso 8, Demusis 8, Nambatac 7, Belo 5, Belga 5, Caracut 4, Norwood 0.
SAN MIGUEL 98 — Bulanadi 31, Romeo 25, Tautuaa 14, Brondial 9, Lee 6, De Vera 5, Saldua 4, Baclao 2, Apacible 2, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 33-23, 60-40, 79-70, 100-98./ASC, WDJ